Several samples of Cu-BTC were synthesized following synthesis routes. Single component isotherm measurements of N2, CO2 and CH4 on more stable sample were conducted over a wide range of pressures and temperatures using a constant volume apparatus. The experimental adsorption equilibrium data were fitted with a suitable isotherm model. The equilibrium data for the three gases are also compared with those on a commercial Cu-BTC sample (Basolite? C300). Extensive dynamic column breakthrough experiments were conducted with the synthesized sample to establish the gas transport mechanism.
A mathematical model for a four-step vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) process was developed and solved using finite volume method and a suitable ODE solver from MATLAB. Detailed parametric studies were carried out for CO2 capture from post combustion power plant flue gas by a four-step VSA process on the synthesized Cu-BTC. Finally, the performance of Cu-BTC for CO2 capture was compared with 13X zeolite.